JP2002245750A - Recording device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the quantity of character information which can be imparted by a user from being limited by the presence of characters, such as 'LP:'. SOLUTION: The text length of the recordable character information is specified to the text length corresponding to the region added with an unused region among the regions prepared for character information recording regions and the character information recording region already recorded with the prescribed character information (steps 64 and 65). If the text length of the imparted character information exceeds the text length corresponding to the unused region among the regions prepared for character information recording regions, the regions prepared for character information recording regions is used for recording of the character information imparted with the character information recording regions already recorded with the prescribed character information (steps 75 and 76).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording medium capable of performing recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, and converting character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium according to the number of characters. And a recording method for recording in a predetermined character information recording area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when recording is performed by a new encoding method that cannot be normally decoded by an encoding method that has been conventionally used, a track to be recorded is used to indicate to the user to that effect. 2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus having a function of automatically adding a predetermined character to a track title to be added and recorded is known. For example, in the case of an MD (mini disc) recording device, ATRAC3 (Adaptive TRansform)
When recording by Acoustic Coding 3), "LP:" is added to the track title of the track to be recorded to indicate that it differs from ATRAC used previously.

[0003]

However, according to such a recording apparatus, the character such as "LP:" to be added is recorded in an area for a normal track title.
The number of characters for the track title that the user wants to give is limited accordingly. For example, when the user does not input a track title, only “LP:” uses a 7-byte area. Therefore, suppose that 255
If only "LP:" is given to all tracks of the music, the title area is filled with the addition of only "LP:", and the title cannot be input at all.

An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method in which characters such as "LP:" are recorded, so that the amount of character information that can be recorded by a user is reduced. The purpose is to prevent being restricted.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit. Alternatively, in a recording apparatus that records character information corresponding to the recording medium in a predetermined character information recording area corresponding to the number of characters, when recording the character information, the unused character information recording area and the predetermined character information Means for setting the character information recording area in which the information has already been recorded as a recordable area.

Here, as a recording medium, any medium can be used as long as recording can be performed. Specifically, an MD (mini-disc), a CD-R
(CD-Recordable), CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) and the like. As different recording methods, encoding methods are different, and an ATRAC stereo (ATRAC Stereo) and an ATRAC mono (ATRA) used in MD are used.
C Mono), Atrack 3-2 double length stereo (ATRAC3 L)
P2 Stereo, Atrack 3-4 times long stereo (ATRAC)
3 LP4 Stereo). CD-R and C
In D-RW, MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer II)
I), WMA (Windows Media Audio) and the like. Uncompressed cases are also included in one of the encoding methods. For example, a track in an MD or the like corresponds to the predetermined recording unit. The character information to be given corresponds to, for example, a track title or a disc title in an MD or the like. The predetermined character information recording area corresponds to, for example, an area for recording a track title or a disc title composed of a name slot corresponding to each track number in the MD audio format and a name slot linked thereto. . In this case, a character information recording area corresponding to the number of characters of character information to be recorded can be secured by sequentially linking an empty slot to a name slot. The unused area corresponds to, for example, this empty slot. As the predetermined character information, for example, the corresponding track is Atrack 3-double length stereo or Atrack 3-
"L" indicating that recording is being performed in quadruple length and stereo
P: ".

In this configuration, when recording of character information is instructed by a user or the like with respect to a recording medium loaded in the apparatus, a recording unit recorded on the recording medium, or a recording unit to be recorded from now on. The character information is recorded in a character information recording area corresponding to the recording unit. At this time, the character information recording area that can be used for recording the character information is only the unused character information recording area in the conventional device. On the other hand, in the present invention, a character information recording area that can be used for recording character information is an area obtained by adding an unused character information recording area and a character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded. Become.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, for a recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is replaced with a predetermined number of characters corresponding to the number of characters. When the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to an unused area in the area prepared for the character information recording area, The character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded is used for recording the character information to be recorded.

In this configuration, a corresponding character information recording area is secured by using an unused area of the area prepared for the character information recording area in accordance with the number of characters of the character information to be recorded. You. At this time, if the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to the unused area, the conventional device has not taken any measures. On the other hand, in the second invention, in such a case, the character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded is used for recording the character information to be recorded.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the second aspect, the recording medium has a predetermined serial number assigned to each recording unit, and the predetermined character information has already been recorded. When using the area, from the character information recording areas, select the number necessary for recording the assigned character information in ascending or descending order of the serial number assigned to the corresponding recording unit. Then, the selected character information recording area is combined with the unused area.

The predetermined serial number is, for example, M
The track number in the case of D or the like corresponds. When the required number of selected character information recording areas are combined with the unused area, the character information recording area for recording the assigned character information is also used by using the combined character information recording area as an unused area. It is an area large enough to record the extended and added character information.

In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, when using the character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded, the character information recording area in which all the predetermined character information is already recorded is used. Combining a region with the unused region. The combined character information recording area is used as an unused area for recording the added character information.

In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined character information is information relating to a predetermined recording method used for recording the corresponding recording unit. And

As information relating to only a predetermined recording method, for example, "LP:" indicating that the corresponding track is recorded in the Atrack 3-2 times long stereo or the Atrack 3-4 times long stereo. Only the case can be mentioned. This information is recorded so that a playback device that does not support the A-track 3 can discriminate a track recorded by the A-track 3 from a track recorded by the A-track. Therefore, since this information has little meaning in a device corresponding to Atrack 3, there is no inconvenience even if a character information recording area in which only this information is recorded is included in an unused area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, for a recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is converted into a predetermined number of characters corresponding to the number of characters. In the recording method of recording in the character information recording area, in recording the character information, the unused character information recording area and the character information recording area where predetermined character information has already been recorded, and a recordable area And a step of performing

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, for a recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is converted into a predetermined number of characters corresponding to the number of characters. In the recording method for recording in the character information recording area, when the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to an unused area among the areas prepared for the character information recording area, The character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded is used for recording the character information to be recorded.

In an eighth aspect based on the seventh aspect, the recording medium is provided with a predetermined serial number for each recording unit, and uses a character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded. From those character information recording areas, from the ascending or descending order of the serial number attached to the corresponding recording unit, select the number necessary for recording the assigned character information, selected A character information recording area is connected to the unused area.

In a ninth aspect based on the seventh aspect, when using the character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded, the character information recording area in which all the predetermined character information is already recorded is used. Combining a region with the unused region. The tenth invention is directed to the sixth to ninth aspects.
In the invention, the predetermined character information is information relating to a predetermined recording method used for recording the corresponding recording unit.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a mini-disc on which audio data is recorded, 2 denotes a spindle motor for rotating and driving the mini-disc 1, and 3 denotes an optical pickup for irradiating the mini-disc 1 with a laser beam to perform recording or reproduction. . The optical pickup 3 performs a high-level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and performs a relatively low-level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a magnetic head for applying a magnetic field modulated by the supplied data to the mini-disc 1, reference numeral 6 denotes a head driver for supplying a drive signal to the magnetic head 5 in accordance with encoded recording data, and reference numeral 4 denotes light. A feed motor 7 for moving the pickup 3 and the magnetic head 5 in the radial direction of the mini-disc 1 is provided with a reproduction RF signal, a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information by arithmetic processing of information supplied from the optical pickup 3. An RF amplifier that extracts absolute position information (ADIP) and the like recorded as a pre-groove on the mini disk 1.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a digital signal processing circuit,
Address information (A) as absolute position information from the amplifier 7
DIP), an EFM decoder for decoding data encoded by ATRAC (hereinafter, referred to as “ATRAC data”), an address and a subcode included in the reproduced RF signal, and an A for read.
Once the TRAC data is stored in the memory 12, the ATRAC
It includes a shock-proof memory controller that performs management for transmission to the decoder unit, and an ATRAC encoder unit that encodes ATRAC data.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a system controller composed of a microcomputer or the like, which instructs the digital signal processing circuit 8 to instruct an address search of the mini disk 1, an instruction to control the optical pickup 3, and an instruction to start decoding ATRAC data. In addition, the digital signal processing circuit 8 obtains address information (ADIP), address information decoded by an EFM decoder, and the like. In addition, instructions such as reproduction, stop, recording, and erasure by the user are received via the operation unit 10, and the operation content is displayed on the display unit 11.

FIG. 2 shows a layout of sector 0 in the UTOC area in the sector format used for the mini disk. In sector 0 of the UTOC area, management information of recorded music data and information on each track are recorded. In the figure, P-TNOn (n = 1 to 255) represents a track whose track number (TNO) is n (hereinafter, referred to as a track number)
It is called “track n”. ) Is a pointer to the start address, and its value indicates the byte position giving the start address of the track n by 76 × 4 + (P-TNOn) × 8.
Indicated by At each byte position indicated by P-TNOn, a start address (Start address), an end address (End address), and a track mode (Track mode) of music information of each track n recorded in the program area.
Is recorded. As the information of the track mode of each track n, information such as the encoding method and copyright used for recording the track is recorded.

When the mini disc 1 is recorded, address information of each track n is recorded in the sector 0 of the UTOC area in such a sector configuration. During playback, UTO
The recording apparatus selects a decoder based on the start address and end address information of each track n recorded in sector 0 of area C, track mode information (encoding method, copyright information, etc.), and the like. The audio data recorded on the disc 1 is reproduced. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily move, combine, and delete tracks simply by operating the contents of the UTOC without directly operating the program area of the mini disc 1 in which audio data is actually recorded. Is available.

FIG. 3 shows a layout of a sector 1 in a UTOC area in a sector format used for a mini disk. Sector 1 is used to record track title and disc title information. Each title is recorded in a corresponding name slot using an ASCII code.

P-TNAn in the figure (n = 1 to 255)
Is the byte position where the name slot where the title of each track n is recorded is 76 × 4 + (P-TNAn)
It is a pointer indicated by × 8. The name slot dedicated to the disc title starts from the position of 76 × 4 bytes. Each name slot includes a 7-byte ASCII code storage area and a 1-byte Link-P. Li
nk-P is a pointer indicating the byte position of the next name slot connected to the name slot. If the value is 0, there is no connection to the next, and the title is completed in the name slot. If all name slots are used, a maximum of 1792 (= 7 × 256) characters can be input. However, since each name slot is controlled in units of 7 bytes, one title slot is used even for a title having a few characters. P-Empty in the figure is a pointer indicating the byte position of the first empty slot, which is an unused name slot.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the recorded contents of the sector 1.
Pointers P-TNA2 for tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7;
The contents of 3, 5, 6, and 7 are 01, 02, 03, and 0, respectively.
4, 05. Therefore, tracks 2, 3, 5,
The 6 and 7 name slots are 78, 80, 82, respectively.
It starts from the positions of 84 and 86 (× 4 bytes), and “LP:” is recorded in each name slot. The pointer P-EMPTY to the empty slot is 06, and the empty slot is 88 (× 4 bytes)
Starting from the position.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of sector 1 after releasing the name slot occupied by track 2 in the contents of sector 1 of FIG. 4 and adding it to the empty slot. The pointer P-EMPTY to the empty slot is changed from 06 to 01 indicating the name slot occupied by the track 2, the storage area of the name slot is cleared to zero, and Link-P is rewritten to 06. The pointer P-TNA2 of track 2 has also been cleared to zero. That is, the name slot occupied by track 2 is added at the beginning of each empty slot.

As described above, in order to release the empty slot of the track n, the value of the pointer P-EMPTY to the empty slot is set to L of the name slot of the track n.
It is sufficient to set the value of the pointer P-EMPTY as the pointer value to the track n, and set the pointer P-TNAn indicating the name slot position of the track n to 0. Alternatively, the content of the pointer P-EMPTY is left as it is, and the Link-P of the last empty slot that reaches each empty slot by Link-P from the first empty slot indicated by the pointer P-EMPTY is the name of the track n. Track n may be joined to the end of the empty slot by making it a pointer value to the slot.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a title input process in the apparatus shown in FIG. In step 61, the system controller 9 monitors the presence or absence of an instruction from the user to start the title input. When detecting the instruction, in step 62, the system controller 9 selects a track number to be title-inputted or discs. Wait for the user to make a selection to enter a title.

When this selection is made, in step 63, the title or disc title of the selected track number is read from the corresponding name slot of UTOC1 and stored in the buffer memory. The contents of the buffer memory are displayed as input characters in a user input area on the display unit 11. Next, in step 64, the number of name slots in which "LP:" is stored (hereinafter, referred to as "LP slots") is counted.
Next, in step 65, the number of characters that can be input is calculated. This calculation can be performed by the number of characters that can be input = (the number of empty slots + the number of LP slots) × 7.

Next, steps 66, 67, 73 and 74
, The presence / absence of a one-character input instruction, the presence / absence of a one-character deletion instruction, the presence / absence of a title input confirmation instruction, and the presence / absence of a title input termination instruction are monitored.

If one character input is detected in step 66, it is determined in step 70 whether or not the number of characters that can be input is zero. If the number of characters that can be input is not 0, step 7
In step 1, the input of the one character is accepted, the number of input characters is incremented by one, the number of characters that can be input is decremented by one, and the process returns to step 66. If it is determined that the number of characters that can be input is 0, a message indicating that the title area is full is displayed in step 72, and the process returns to step 66.

If an instruction to delete one character is detected in step 67, it is determined in step 68 whether or not the number of input characters is zero. If it is determined to be 0, the process returns to step 66 as it is. If it is determined that it is not 0, the instruction to delete one character is accepted in step 69, the number of input characters is decremented by 1, the number of inputtable characters is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step 66.

If an instruction to confirm the title input is detected in step 73, the required number of LP slots corresponding to the number of input characters is released in step 75, and the title of the input character is reflected in step 76. The contents of the buffer memory are written to UTOC1, and the title input process ends.

In step 74, when an instruction to end the title input is detected, the title input processing ends. In this case, writing to UTOC1 is not performed.

According to this, in step 64, LP
The number of slots is counted, and the number of characters that can be input is set to the number of characters corresponding to the area obtained by adding the LP slot to the empty slot in step 65. Character input is accepted with this number of characters as a limit. Since the LP slot is opened to reflect the contents of the input character,
The characters for the title can be input without being limited to the existence of the slot. That is, since the LP slot occupying the UTOC1 to which "LP:" is added at a location not intended by the user is preferentially opened and used only when the empty slots are insufficient, "LP: Even with a mini-disc to which "" has been added, the user can input characters up to the standard without being aware of it. Also, if you do not enter the title enough to run out of empty slots,
Since the character of "LP:" remains as it is, it is possible to support the maximum character input by the user while maintaining the advantages of adding "LP:".

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the LP slot search processing in step 64 of FIG. When the process proceeds to step 71, first, in step 71, the counter i
Is cleared to zero and the track number counter j
To store the minimum track number. Next, in step 72, it is determined whether or not the track j is recorded by ATRAC3. This determination is based on UTOC0 (UTO
This is performed with reference to the track mode (Track mode) of track j recorded in sector 0) of C. ATRAC3
If it is determined that it is not due to the above, the process proceeds to step 75. If it is determined that the title is ATRAC3, in step 73, it is determined whether or not the track title of the track j is only "LP:" by referring to the corresponding name slot of UTOC1. If it is determined that only “LP:”, the counter i is incremented by 1 in step 74, and the process proceeds to step 75. If it is determined that it is not only “LP:”, the process proceeds to step 75.

In step 75, the counter j is incremented by one. Next, in step 76, the counter j determines whether or not the maximum track number has been exceeded.
If it is determined that it has not exceeded, the process returns to step 72, and the above processing is repeated. If it is determined that the maximum track number has been exceeded, the number of LP slots is set to i in step 77, and the LP slot search process ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the slot release processing in step 75 of FIG. When the process proceeds to step 81, first, in step 81, the name slot used for the title of the track for which the title is to be input or the name slot used for inputting the disc title when the title is the disc title is set to the empty slot. Combine and open.

Next, in step 82, the number obtained by subtracting the number of empty slots × 7 from the number of input characters is stored in the counter k. Next, in step 83, it is determined whether or not k is greater than zero. When k is larger than 0, it means that there are characters that cannot be stored in the current number of empty slots among the input characters, and k represents the number of characters that cannot be stored at this time. .

If it is determined in step 83 that k is not larger than 0, the current number of empty slots is sufficient, and the slot release processing ends. k
Is larger than 0 in step 84, k is divided by the number 7 of bytes of the name slot, and the value after the decimal point is rounded up. Thus, k becomes a value indicating the number of name slots necessary to store the number of characters that cannot be stored. Next, at step 85, the minimum track number is stored in the track number counter j.

Next, at step 86, it is determined whether or not the track j has been recorded by ATRAC3. This judgment is made by UTOC0 (UTOC sector 0).
Track mode of track j (Trac
k mode). If it is determined that the track j is not recorded by ATRAC3, the process proceeds to step 89. If it is determined that the track j is recorded by ATRAC3, in step 87, it is determined whether the title of the track j is only “LP:” or not.
The determination is made with reference to OC1 (sector 1 of UTOC). "
If it is determined that it is not only “LP:”, the process proceeds to step 89.

If it is determined in step 87 that the title of the track j is only "LP:", then in step 88, the name slot of the track j is released by combining it with the empty slot, and step 89
Proceed to.

In step 89, the counter j is incremented by 1 and the value of k is decremented by -1. Next, in step 90, it is determined whether or not k is 0. If it is not 0, the process returns to step 86. If 0, the slot release processing ends.

As a result, the required number of LP slots according to the number of input characters are connected to the empty slots and released.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the slot release process of FIG. 7 (step 75 of FIG. 6), the required number of LP slots is selected in ascending order of the track number and connected to the empty slot. Instead, the required numbers may be selected and combined in descending order.

Also, in the slot release processing of FIG.
Although a required number of slots are selected and coupled to the empty slots, all LP slots may be coupled to the empty slots instead.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, when recording character information, an unused character information recording area and a character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded can be recorded. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the amount of character information that can be given by the user from being limited by the recording of the predetermined character information.

When the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to an unused area of the area prepared for the character information recording area, predetermined character information is already recorded. Character information recording area
Since it is used for recording character information to be recorded, it is possible to prevent the amount of character information that can be recorded by the user from being limited due to the recording of predetermined character information.

According to the third and eighth aspects of the present invention, when a character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded is used, the character information recording area is selected from the character information recording areas.
Because the number required for recording the assigned character information is selected in ascending or descending order of the serial number assigned to the corresponding recording unit, and the selected character information recording area is combined with an unused area. The character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded can be used in a certain order according to the serial number assigned to the corresponding recording unit. Further, the unused character information recording area in which the predetermined character information has already been recorded can be effectively kept, and the predetermined character information can be utilized.

According to the fourth and ninth aspects of the invention, when a character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded is used, a character information recording area in which all predetermined character information is already recorded is used. Since the area is combined with the unused area, the character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded can be collectively used without distinction in addition to the unused area.

According to the fifth and tenth aspects, the predetermined character information is information relating to the predetermined recording method used for recording the corresponding recording unit, so that no particular inconvenience occurs. A character information recording area in which the information is recorded can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a layout of a sector 0 in a UTOC area in a sector format used for a mini disk.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a layout of a sector 1 in a UTOC area in a sector format used for a mini disk.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of recorded contents of a sector 1 in a UTOC area.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of sector 1 after releasing the name slot occupied by track 2 in the contents of sector 1 of FIG. 4 and adding it to the empty slot.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a title input process in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an LP slot search process in step 64 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing slot release processing in step 75 of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Mini disk, 2: Spindle motor, 3: Optical pickup, 4: Feed motor, 5: Magnetic head, 6: Head driver, 7: RF amplifier, 8: Digital signal processing circuit, 9: System controller, 10: Operation Part 1
1: display unit, 12: memory.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5D044 AB05 BC06 CC04 DE54 EF05 HL14 5D077 AA30 CA02 CB04 CB17 DC16 DC21 EA33 EA34 5D110 AA19 AA27 DA02 DA04 DA11 DB03 DC05 DC15 DE02 DE04

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, the character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is recorded in a predetermined character information according to the number of characters. In a recording device for recording in an area, when recording the character information, there is provided means for setting an unused character information recording area and the character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded as a recordable area. A recording device, comprising: 2. On a recording medium that can be recorded by using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is recorded in a predetermined character information according to the number of characters. In a recording device for recording in an area, if the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to an unused area in the area prepared for the character information recording area, a predetermined character A recording apparatus, wherein the character information recording area in which information is already recorded is used for recording the character information to be recorded. 3. The recording medium is provided with a predetermined serial number for each recording unit, and when using a character information recording area in which the predetermined character information has already been recorded, the character information recording area of the character information recording area is used. From among them, in the ascending or descending order of the serial numbers assigned to the corresponding recording units, select the number necessary for recording the assigned character information, and select the unused character information recording area as the unused character information recording area. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording apparatus is coupled to an area. 4. When using a character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded, all the character information recording areas in which the predetermined character information is already recorded are combined with the unused area. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
The recording device according to claim 1. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined character information is information on a predetermined recording method used for recording the recording unit corresponding to the predetermined character information. 6. A recording medium capable of performing recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, the character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is recorded in a predetermined character information according to the number of characters. In a recording method for recording in an area, the method further comprises, when recording the character information, setting an unused character information recording area and the character information recording area in which predetermined character information is already recorded as a recordable area. Recording method characterized by performing. 7. On a recording medium capable of recording using a different recording method for each predetermined recording unit, character information corresponding to each recording unit or the recording medium is recorded in predetermined character information according to the number of characters. In a recording method for recording in an area, when the number of characters of the character information to be recorded exceeds the number of characters corresponding to an unused area among the areas prepared for the character information recording area, a predetermined character A recording method, wherein the character information recording area in which information is already recorded is used for recording the character information to be recorded. 8. The recording medium is provided with a predetermined serial number for each recording unit, and when using the character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded, the character information recording area of the character information recording area is used. From among them, in the ascending or descending order of the serial numbers assigned to the corresponding recording units, select the number necessary for recording the assigned character information, and select the unused character information recording area as the unused character information recording area. The recording method according to claim 7, wherein the recording method is combined with an area. 9. When using a character information recording area in which the predetermined character information is already recorded, all the character information recording areas in which the predetermined character information is already recorded are connected to the unused area. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein
Recording method described in 1. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined character information is information on a predetermined recording method used for recording the recording unit corresponding to the predetermined character information.